The New York Times story, though, focuses on former Minnesota
Gov. Tim
Pawlenty, who it describes as Romney's right-hand man on the
campaign trail.

The conservative National Review now describes Mr. Pawlenty
as “Romney’s traveling salesman.” While other potential
vice-presidential candidates like Senator Rob Portman of Ohio and
Gov. Bobby
Jindal of Louisiana have day jobs that limit their
availability, Mr. Pawlenty, who has no other full-time position,
is the political equivalent of an empty nester, available to do
whatever Mr. Romney asks.

For his part, Pawlenty told the Times that he thought he could
best serve the campaign in other areas, but that it would be an
"honor" to be asked to join the ticket.